Radiology Forums

RTE4ME · Joined: 23 May 2008 Posts: 3

In school we have been taught the ALARA principle and about not over exposing the patients. I'm in my first rotation and I have noticed something at the facility I am at. They have direct digital equipment which at first I thought was really nice. However, I noticed that some techs will take an exposure on a patient, if they don't like it, delete it and take another. I understand that the image has to be good for the radiologist, but 4 or 5 repeats makes me a little nervous. Is this normal? Or has the digital age made it too easy to be less..I don't know the word I am looking for, cautious maybe? Don't get me wrong, the techs are great and I have learned so much thus far, but I don't dare question them on the amount of exposures for fear of "crossing the line" as far as being a student, know what I mean?

For myself, if I take an exposure on my own and it looks bad, or I screwed up, I get the head tech to look at it and usually have them take the repeat so I don't make more exposures than necessary on the patient.

Thanks

iraydee8 · Power User Joined: 14 Oct 2004 Posts: 64 Location: AZ

Well, unforturnatly I think you have hit the nail on the head. More and more I am seeing techs either repeat an image unnecessarly or not repeat an image when they should have. Too many tecs out there are useing CR and DR with NO knowledge of how these systems work. And withouth knoweldge all of us will use incorrectly and most will not seek out help or knowledge in order to become a true professional in the field.

Yes, we are all at fault. But it is very refreshing to hear a future technologist that is conerned aware of how these techs can and will give ALL of us a bad name! "Button Pusher".

I would continue on with your instruction but keep in mind there are bad apples in every tree. Hopefully you have just gotten one of those who don't care or don't know any better. We have to take it upon ourseleves to be the best we can be and in our travels, try to influence those around us that might not be as concerned or knowledable.

Remember when it is all said and done. It is your initial markers that are on that image. You have noone to answer to but your own conceious.
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iraydee8